Meningitis. I will be discussing what the causes are behind it, the effects it has to the body, the treatments to cure the health problem and also how it can be prevented.

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Introduction

Meningitis This report I will be examining the role of Meningitis of which it has in the body and where it comes from; I will be discussing what the causes are behind it, the effects it has to the body, the treatments to cure the health problem and also how it can be prevented. What is Meningitis? Meningitis is an infection of meninges; meninges are protective membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord. The infection can cause the meninges to swell up and become inflamed which damages the nerves and brain. Meningitis occurs mostly in young children under the age of 5, people who are aged between 17-25 and also the elderly aged over 55. People who have compromised immune systems, meaning people who have HIV or AIDS have an increased risk of having Meningitis There are two main types of Meningitis and they are: Viral Meningitis Viral Meningitis is the most common but is less serious; there are about 3,000 causes in England and Wales which are reported every year. It is also been said that the number of people with viral meningitis are much higher as this is because the symptoms of this are mistaken for the flu. ...read more.

Middle

Viral meningitis Many people who have Viral will have the same symptoms as a mild flu which includes of headaches, chills, muscle or joint pains and fever. There are also some causes where the symptoms of Viral Meningitis is the same as Bacterial Meningitis; the most common symptoms of Viral Meningitis are the following: * Headache * Fever * Nausea * Vomiting * Photophobia (Fear of light) Bacterial meningitis The symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis appear suddenly and eventually worsen, the symptoms are the following: * Fever * Headache * Drowsiness * Vomiting * Seizures/Fits * Photophobia * Stiff neck (occurs mainly in young children) * Confusion * Blotchy red rash Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis can appear differently in babies and young children and they are the following: * Irritable * Unusual crying * Being stiff or jerky movements * Vomiting * Loss of appetite * Skin becomes pale and blotchy * Very sleepy * Swelling in part of the head The difference between Viral and Bacterial Meningitis is not always known from just the symptoms; so if there is a suspicion of Meningitis is very important to treat this as a medical emergency. Treatment Options Meningitis should be treated urgently by going out the hospital or having antibiotics; if the disease is treated properly then it is less likely to become life threatening. ...read more.

Conclusion

* Exercise regularly and to avoid drugs, alcohol and smoking as they can make the immune system weak. * Sleep a maximum of 8 hours a day if you are a teen or pre-teen as sleeping can boost the immune system. Statistics Looking at 'Diagram 3' it shows how there is many cases of Meningitis in Nigeria during 2006-2008. Between weeks 1 and 19, there was a high number of cases of Meningitis in 2006 of 4,600. In 2007, the cases of Meningitis dropped to 2,100. The following year in 2008, Meningitis went to a major decrease of 1000 cases of Meningitis. Conclusion In conclusion, the role of the Meningitis family has changed over the last decade and this has led to a more control on bacterial and viral meningitis spreading around. Most of the bacteria's and viruses that cause meningitis have been controlled, however there are still some which can cause the disease. It is very important that meningitis is not mistaken for a flu as the symptoms are very similar and can be very dangerous if the disease is not taken under medical straight away, also if it is not taken under medical health then there is a chance that the disease can spread onto other people. ?? ?? ?? ?? 1 ...read more.

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